Dec 7, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Los Angeles Rams helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Los Angeles Rams helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jun 8, 2026, 12:30 PM CUT
3 NFL Franchises Turn Their Backs on Their Players by Supporting Controversial California Bill
Senate Bill 795 has churned up mixed reactions from the NFL over its intent to limit professional athletes’ rights. While the NFL Players Association “strongly opposes” it, three franchises are in favor: the Los Angeles Rams, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the San Francisco 49ers.
“Although neither the NFL nor any of the California-based teams have made a public statement in that regard, the sponsor of the bill (Senator Laura Richardson) has indicated in a summary of the proposed legislation that the NFL and the three California teams support it,” Pro Football Talk reported on June 6.
SB 795 is a proposal to amend Section 3600.5 of the Labor Code, related to workers’ (pro athletes’) compensation. This bill aims to restrict players’ access to the California workers’ compensation system. It would limit players from claiming compensation for the trauma and injuries suffered while playing on the field.
Jan 18, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9), guard Kevin Dotson (69), safety Quentin Lake (37) and offensive tackle David Quessenberry (68) run onto the field before an NFC Divisional Round game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Jan 18, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9), guard Kevin Dotson (69), safety Quentin Lake (37) and offensive tackle David Quessenberry (68) run onto the field before an NFC Divisional Round game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
In his June 6 report, Mike Florio weighed in on the impact the geographical location of a player’s employment has on their experience overall.
“The most obvious consequence of where a player works is the amount of state income tax the player pays. In multiple states, there’s none. In California, it’s 13.3 percent for all players except first-year players making the minimum salary of $885,000. (For them, it’s 12.3 percent),” he wrote for PFT.
While two of the three franchises supporting this bill are based in California, the NFLPA is pushing back.
The NFLPA Makes Its Stance On SB 795 Known
On June 5, the NFL Players Association made a statement on the SB 795 Bill.
“This bill targets our players, stripping them of the constitutional rights and legal protections afforded to every other worker in the state,” they posted on X.
The bill aims to prevent athletes with little to no connection to California from filing cumulative trauma or occupational health issues claims in the state.
“As employees in a high-risk profession, NFL players rely on workers’ compensation as a critical protection. In fact, the cost of these benefits is already paid by our players out of their collectively bargained share of league revenue. By advancing this latest anti-player legislation, California’s professional sports teams are seeking to evade that system for financial gain, denying injured athletes the care they are owed,” the association added.
Apart from the NFL teams, none of the NBA nor any of its California-based teams (the L.A. Lakers, the L.A. Clippers, and the Golden State Warriors) are identified by Senator Laura Richardson in support of the bill.
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Written by
Akanksha Biradar
Edited by
Aadesh Dhote